Laundry marker



July 8 1924.

1,501,000 E. LANE; Y

LAUNDRY MARKER Filed Dec. 19. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

55u/wanton yank cme @M Snor/new E. LANE LAUNDRY MARKER jilly 8 E924@ Filed Dec. 19. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 8, i924.

EDWIN LANE, OF NEW ortica.

YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO CAROLYN LAUNDRY, OF NEW YORK,

N. Y.,v A CORPORATION OF. NEW YORK.

LAUNDRY MARKER.

Application filed December 19, 1923. Serial No. 681,635.

To all/whom t may Concern.'

Be it known that I, EDWIN LANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new Yand useful Improvements in Laundry Markers,` of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to markers for attachment to articles or pieces of apparel and flat work during launder or dry cleaning operations for convenience and certainty in identification and assortment. The main purpose of the improved marker is to provide a device, bearing an identifying number or character, that may be easily attached to individual pieces of articles to be laundered or cleaned without directly marking or puncturing, or in the least injurying such pieces or articles, and to assure a continuous association of the marker with each article or piece during strenuous launder or cleaning operations, and whereby all the pieces or articles of a distinct group or ownership, all having similar identifying numbers or characters, may be readily and expeditiously assorted into lots or parcels and the completeness or incompleteness of the groupvquickly ascertained subsequent to launder or cleaning operations. The invention further contemplates the provision of a comparatively simple laundry marker embodying structural features that co-operate to facilitate manual attachment and detachment thereof relatively to a piece or article to be laundered or cleaned, and to overcome all liability of accidental detachment from the piece or article irrespective of the position the marker may be caused to assume during the launder or cleaning operations. j

The invention consists in the preferred construction and arrangement and several modifications of the marker illustrated in the'accompanying drawings, and hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and capable of suchmodiiication in form, dimensions,.pro portions and details ofV construction as may fairly fallV within the scope of the claims.

In the drawings Fig. lis a Vperspective view o f a'marker embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view 'ofthemarker looking towards thev rear sidethereof. n

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectionof 'as makerwith a part @if article held therein 4in dotted lines to illustrate the mod-e of attachment thereof.

F ig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing they manner of separating the jaws of the marker.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the marker. Y

Fig. 6 isa longitudinal vertical section of the marker shown by Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a further modified form of the marker.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical section of the form of marker shown by Fig. 7.

The marker embodying the features of the present invention has demonstrated by practical use that it does not injure or tear the article in any manner and avoids the delay and loss of time incident to the practice of well known methods of directly applying an ink mark or character to articles or pieces to be laundered, and, furthermore, the improved marker facilitates the positive and certain assortment of the articles or pieces to which it is attached and may also serve as a hanging means for the article or piece previous to detachment therefrom, and when detached may be readily placed within a suitable cellular or divided case or boX in" such position as to permit all the numbers of a certain like character to be readily seen and also indicate to the assorter or operative that all the pieces of a certain group have been regularly accounted for and parceled or properly distributed.

The improved marker essentially consists of a single sheet metal strip 5, preferably formed of non-corrosive material such yas brass or phospor-bronze, and doubled upon itself to produce two jaws 6 and 7 one of which is preferably longer than the other. The sheet metalk strip 5 at the point where it is bent is wider than the jaw portions thereof to provide a head 8 to which, preferably on one side,an identifying number or group of numbers or characters 9 isapplied. The jaws 6 and 7 are provided with indentations 10 and l1, those shown by Figs. 1- to 6, inclusive, being preferably square, and those. illustrated by Figs. 7 and 8 being triangular in form, and indicating that it is proposed to make these indentations of any forindesired. The indentations 10 and 1l are disposed in alternation in the respective jaws 7. @li-@Se the jaw 6, for instance mum projections of their kindentations vtoward the head extremity or bend of the strip. An operating loop or link 12 is associated with each bent strip or forms a part of the marker complement, said loop or link being also `serviceable as a hanger means. The loop or link 12 has a bar or Lcross connecting member- 13 movably mounted in and always retained in connection with the bent strip and free to slide from the bend of the stripy to a predeterr mined point in advance of said bend` the bar or member 13 being slidably flattened at diametrically opposite points as at 14. The rear jaw 7 is made longer than the jaw 6 for convenience in application of the marker to pieces or articles or to serve as a guide in leading or directing the edge of. the piece or article in between the jaws when the latter `are opened or spread apart for application or attachment of the marker to piece or article. The bent strip 5 is resilient and after the jaws 6 and 7 are formed and arranged in normal adjacency or closed a predetermined extent, it will be necessary to open the same, means being provided for this purpose, which will be more fully hereinafter explained. It will, therefore, be understood that the jaws 6 and 7 are normally kclosed to the extent permitted by the reverseiy arranged inwardly projecting indentations, and that said indentations arranged as specified in alternation will produce a series of biting means relatively tothe portion L of the piece or article inserted between the jaws andprevent accidental detachment of the marker from the piece or article. The foregoing features of construction are cominon to all the forms of the marker illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the several distinctive structures of the respective forms will now be considered.

.ln the form of the marker illust-rated by Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the jaw 6 at a certain distance from the bend of' the strip 5 is instruck or inwardly bent as at 15 andby this means the head 8 is provided with an velongated clear opening or bar operating space 16 in which the bar .13 is free to slide and rotate or turn at various angles relative to the bend without in the least affecting the normalclosed position of the two jaws 6 and 7. The loop or link 12 between the bar 13 and the opposite end member 17 is of such length as to permit play of the bar 13 within the space or opening 16 in different positions, but when the loop or link. is"

turned to one side vof the strip-and disposed fat jan angle as indicated in dotted lines by Fig ,the opposite flat portions vor sides le of the bar 13 are caused to engage the inner sideof the bend 15 and the adjacent inner straight side of the device adjacent to the intersection of the jaw 7 and the head 8 and function as a pry by pressing inwardly on theV loop or link and thereby spring the jaws 6 and 7 apart sufliciently to admit a portion of an article. or piece therebetween, or, to allow a ready detachment of the marker from the article or piece. After the insertion of a portion of a piece or article between the jaws as shown in dotted lines by Fig. 3 the loop or link 12 is released or drawn back from its prying position and the bar 13 loosely occupiesthe space 16 without the least liability of accidentally springing the jaws apart or loosening the effective bite of the opposing indentation of the aws relatively to the portion of the article or piece held therebetween.

In the modified form shown by Figs. 5 and 6, the bar 13 is made slightly smaller than that shown in the preceding figures and the remaining portion of the loop or link 12 is slightly thicker or heavier. In this modified construction also the forward movement of the bar 13 is limited so that the said bar cannot be forced towards the free ends of the jaws beyond a certain predetermined point and this limitation provision relative to the movement of the loop or link 13 is especially advantageous in preventing the said bar from engaging or coming in contact withV any portion of the article or piece that may be held between the jaws. This limitation or stop structure consists in forming the jaws 6 and 7 in advance of the bend 15 with opposite shoulders 18 against which the front terminals 19 of the side bars 2O of the loop or link 12 are adapted to strike, the said front terminals of the side bars 2O having ample projection and so shaped as to produce an effective contact and obstruct the movement of the bar 13 beyond or in advance of the said shoulders 18. ln other respects the structural features of the matter shown by Figs. 5 and 6 are similar to those of the preceding form of marker as illustrated in Figs. 1 to el, inclusive.

In Athekmodified form shown by Figs. 7 and r8 the indentations 10EL and 11a, as hereinbefore noted, are of triangular form and in this modified structure the head 8 is formed with opposite indentations 21 extending longitudinally in central relation to the head. These indentations prevent crushing ofthe opposite parts of the strip composingthe lhead in advance of the bend of the strip, sufficient space being normally left between these indentations for the free play or movement of a split bar 13a of the as shown in dotted lines by Figure 7 The modified features as shown by Figs. 5 and 6 and 7 and S may be adopted if desired in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, as a whole or partially or the modified features of the structure shown by Figs. 5 and 6 and particularly the stop or limiting shoulders 18 may be embodied in the structure shown by Figs. 7 and 8, and the particular indentation structure of the latter may be embodied in the head of the marker shown by Figs. 5 and 6. 1n other words it is intended that the improved marker be constructed either in the more simplified form as shown by Figs. 1 to t inclusive, or 'the modified yforms shown by Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, or brought together in one marker structure as desired, the modified structures shown by Figs. 5 to 8 indicating developments of the more simplified structure shown by Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive.

From the foregoing structural explanation it is desired to be understood that the improved marker in either of its forms comprises essentially a pair of jaws which are `normally closed and provided with means which, in the present instance is a part of the complement of the marker to open the jaws by a simple manipulation for yattachment of the marker to or detachment from a portion or part of an article or piece adapted to be subjected to launder or cleaning operations. Incidentally and as an eective feature the jaws in each inst-ance are provided with means 'for insuring the retention ofthe portion or part of the article or piece held therebetween, said means being preferably in the form of the indentations 10 and 11 which are arranged in rows or series and in alternation in the respectiveA jaws. The number of these indentations or the extent thereof lengthwise of the two jaws may be varied and the invention is not in the least restrictedor confined to any specific number or precise shape of these indentations.

The formation of the indentations 10 and 11 and 10a and 11a does not entirely release the metal comprised inthe contour of the same, or the metal is not cut through at the points where these indentations are formed, andthe particular advantage of this structure is that the said indentations will be preserved in their contour and normal inward projection relatively to eachother and will not be bent or pressed back into their respective jaws as would be the case if rthe metal was cut through and, hence, the` indentations are preserved in their predeterminedy structural arrangement and maintained in a maximum biting relationship. It has been foundin practice thatwater or moisture is apt to be retained between the jaws at the points where the in dentations are formed, or between the rows orserles'of indentations when a portion of an article or a piece is held between the .jaws-and to avoid any possibility of discoloration of the portion of the article or piece by the action of the moisture at the said points acting on the metal, and particuj larly whenfsubjected to heat that probably would set up a chemical re-action, it is proposed to provide vent means at points adjacent to the indentations to. release the moisture from between the jaws or to perrious laundering machines without danger to the latter or liability of tearing the ar ticle or garment to which it is attached. The improved device is also of a stiff character or is sufficiently rigid so as to prevent bending` or distortion of the same while passing through the laundering machines. The device` is also provided with flat clamping faces which provide an extended grip on the portion of the article or garment engaged thereby and has retention means op posingly positioned and directed inwardly, the retention means being formed with blunt ends which engage but do not mar the article or fabric. to which the same is applied and do not pierce or puncture the article or fabric no matter what the pressure on the jaws may be during' movement of the improved device through the rolls of a laundering machine. Another advantage of the improved reusable marking tag is'that it can be readily applied to and removed from the most delicate fabrics without injury to the latter and without contact of a removing device with the goods or fabric. Another advantage of the flat character ofthe jaws is that they will not distort, bulge or wrinkle the portion of the article or garment to which the said jaws maybe applied. The inwardly opposed projections are.- also disposed in alternation so that those of one jaw are directly oppositeand enter spaces in the remaining jaw. and, moreover, the jaws have openings therethrough adjacent to the retention devices or project-ions to provide for ventilation and permit the escape of steam and moisture which, if retained between the aws, would set up cor rosion of the metal ofthe jaws and result in staining the fabric of the article or garment engaged thereby. The improved marking tag is also provided with means inthe form of a loop in the present instance.

which has several functions, and, among others, the principal onesy are to permit the severalmarkers to be applied tn an assembling stick or analogous device and whereby all of the tags of the same number or marking character may be collected in groups, and, moreover, thesaid member is flat and lies in the same plane as the body of the marking tag and is connected to the latter so that the tag and operating member may readily pass togethei through the rollers of a laundering machine. A further function of this member is to provide means carried by the tag or always associated therewith or readily opening the jaws and applying the tag to articles 0r garments preparatory to laundering operations and also for removing the tag subsequent to said operations.

I claim:

l. A reusable laundry marlrer formed of stiff resilient sheet metal and having` an identifying character thereon, a pair of normally closed flat jaws with interacting inwardly projecting indentations at a distance rearwardly from the free ends of the said jaws and within the confines of the side edges of the jaws, and means carried by the marker and slidable -between the jaws in rear ofthe identations for separating the jaws.

2. A reusable laundry marker formed of stiff sheet metal and having a pair of flat jaws continuously extending from a connecting bend therefor, the jaws being normally closed and provided with reversely arranged inwardly projecting indentations in close interacting relation at a distance rearwardly from their free ends, the body of the marker having an identifying character, and means for separating the jaws.

3. A reusable laundry marker formed of stiff sheet metal and having an identifying characterand a` pair of normally closed and converging flat jaws structurally continuous with a connecting bend therefor and provided with opposed interactingalternately arranged indentations located at a distance rearwardly from the free ends of and between the side edgesof the jaws and projected inwardly in opposingrelation, and means movably carried yby the marker in .rear of the'indentations for separating the jaws.

fl. A reusable laundry marker formed of stiff resilient sheet metal having an indentifying character and a pair of flat spring jaws held in normally closed relation to each other structurally continuous with a connecting bend therefor and provided with opposed inwardly projecting interacting angular indentations at a distance rearwardly from the free ends of the jaws .and enclosed between the latter, the indentations having blunt :fabric engaging ends and, ar-

ranged in alternation in the respective jaws, the jaws opposite the respective indentations being provided. with means into which the blunt ends of the said indentations normally extend, ant. means in rear of the indentations for opening the jaws.

5. A reusable marker formed of stiff resilient sheet metal having an identifyingcharacter and a pair of flat jaws held in normally closed relation to each other and provided withV opposed inwardly projecting interacting angular indentations at a distance rearwardly from the free ends of the jaws and enclosed between the latter, the one jaw being longer than the other and straight fully to its free end for guiding and supporting the marker in its application to a textile fabric, and means in rear of the indentations for opening the aws.

6. A reusable marker formed of stiff resilient sheet metal having an identifying character and a pair of normally closed jaws differing in length and provided with opposed inte 1acting indentations enclosed between the aws and in close relation in rear of the front terminal edges and wholly in advance-of the rear portion of the jaw, the

projecting portion of the longer jaw servrear of the indentations for opening the jaws and also to serve as an assembling means for markers of the same character group.

8. A reusable marker of the class yspecified having an identifying character thereon, a pair of resiliently controlled normally closed flat jaws differing in lengt-h and continuous with a uniting bend for the two jaws, and means movably carried between the jaws and retained adjacent to the uniting bend of the jaws, said means being operable to open the jaws.

9. reusable marker of the class specified having an identifying means and a pair of resilient normally closed jaws with opposed interacting retention means confined to a portion of the lengths 0f the jaws, and an operating device associated with the rear portion of the marker andfreely movable longitudinally in and also rotatably over the side portions of the rear extremity of the marker to open the jaws.

10. A reusable marker of the class specitied consisting of a bent `strip of stift resilient metal to form a pair of normally closed jaws continuons with the bent portion of the strip, the marker between the rear terminals of the jaws and l:the bend being formed with an open space extending therethrough, and an operating device freely shiftable in the said open space in rear of the jaws and movable to directly engage the inner opposing sides of the part of the marker in rear of the jaws and also disposable in various angular positions over the outer side portions of the marker without affecting the closed relation of the jaws during movement of the marker through laundering machinery, -the operating device also being disposable in a distinct position for opening the jaws.

11. A reusable marker having a doubled extremity with an open space between the parts thereof and provided with an identifying character and a pair of resilient normally controlled jaws continuous therewith in advance of said open space, the jaws having opposed inwardly projecting interacting retention means which terminate a distance from the free ends of the jaws and also in advance of the said open space, and operating means freely slidable longitudinally and also rotatably in the said open space and adapted for holding the marker in assorted position and also for opening the closed jaws.

12. A reusable marker of the class specilied, having an identifying character on one extremity thereof and provided with a pair of normally closed jaws in advance of said extremity, the jaws having interacting angularly indented retention means arranged in alternation in portions of the opposing jaws, the said extremity bearing the identifying character having a space formed between the parts thereof extending longitudinally of the marker to the rear limits of the jaws, and a loop device having a bar member freely movable longitudinally and rotatably in the said space.

13. A reusable marker of the class specilied, havino` an identifying character on one extremity hereof and provided with a pairk of normally closed jaws in advance of said extremity, the jaws having interacting angularly indented retention' means arranged in alternation in portions of the opposing jaws, the said extremity bearing the identifying character having a space formed between the parts thereof extending longitudinally of the marker to the V,rear limits of the jaws, and a loop device having a bar member with opposing flattened sides, said bar member being freely movable longitudinally and rotatable in the said space.

14. A marker of the class specified consisting of a doubled strip forming a head bearing an identifying character and a pair of resiliently controlled normally closed jaws havingn fiat terminals andV interacting retention means ending at a distance rearwardly from said flat terminals, one of thejaws being formed with a transversely extending bend andf the hea-d alsov provided with an open space extendinglongitudinally between the parts thereof, and a loop device having a bar freely movable longitudinally and rotatably in the open space and also disposable to engage the bend of the one jaw and the inner opposing side of the remaining jaw to pry both aws apart.

15. A marker of the class specified consisting of a double strip forming a head bearing an identifying character and a pair of normally closed jaws provided with interacting retention means, the head having an open space extending longitudinally between the parts thereof, and a loop jaw operating device having a member freely movable longitudinally and rotatably in the said space and limited in its movement at a point adjacent to the rear terminals of the jaws, the said member directly engaging' the inner opposing sides of the jaws to pry the lat-ter apart.

16. .l marker of the class specified consisting of a head bearing an identifying character and having a space extending longitudinally between the parts thereof and also provided with normally closed jaws extending therefrom, the jaws also having interactingk retention means located at a distance inwardly from the free flat ends thereof and opposed stop shoulders at their rear portions in advance of the head, and a loop device having a member freely movable lon-` gitudinally and rotatably in the said space and limited in its forward movement by said shoulders and also disposable to pry the jaws open.

17. A marker of the class specified consisting of a doubled strip forming a head bearing an identifying character and provided with normally closed jaws extending therefrom, the head having an open space between the opposing parts thereof and indentation means to prevent crushing of the parts of the head, the jaws having interacting retention means, and a loop device having a member freely movable lon- Y teracting lmpe-rforate indentations, vent openings being formed across the jaws and adjacent to and in alternation with the indentations, and means for opening the jaws.

19. A reusable marker of the class specified having flat jaws formed of .stiff resilient metal structurally continuous with a connecting bend therefor and provided with 5 opposed interacting imperforate indentations, the jaws adjacent to the indentations being formed with openings for relieving the jaws and ndentations of retained moisture therebetween, and means yfor opening the jaws. 10

In testimony whereoiE I have hereunto set my hand.

EDWIN LANE. 

